Why did the Byzantine Empire last over 1000 years?

Answer 1

they had a good military system and could take over land for food money or what ever they pleased. they went corrupt later in the empire because generals were starting to fight for power and then they split.which made it easier for enemy to take over.

Answer 2

The capital was the main reason.

The Constantinople was between the trade route between the Europe and Asia which caused economy increases. Also, the black sea and the Aegean Sea and also mountains also worked as the natural barriers. The Constantinople rapidly improved and became stronger. For that reason, based on this capital, the byzantine empire became more stronger.

Also, their diplomatic and treaties between other countries or tribes made them safe. Their culture flourished within Emperor's invincible power.

Answer 3

It lasted for a thousand years, first because it was for many centuries a highly developed and military strong empire, much more so than most of its neighbours. Plus its economic, political and military center, the city of Constantinople, was not only a thriving and revenue-generating trade center but also a totally impregnable fortress that repulsed almost to the end all of the many efforts of 'barbarian hordes' to conquer it and claim victory over the empire.

In the last few centuries before its final fall in 1453 however its territory had steadily decreased and in its final years it was little more than the city of Constantinople, the surrounding regions and posessions in what is now Greece. Cause of this was the rise of several Balkan states on one side, and on the other side, the rise of Islam and its holy wars against Christian states such as Byzantium.

In the final phase of its existence it had been tolerated to keep on existing as a tribute-paying client state of the Ottoman empire, mostly because of the impregnability of the fortress-city Constantinople. Only when Byzantium's resources and military power had finally dwindled to a level where it could no longer withstand its adversaries, it fell to the attack of Ottoman sultan Mehmet the Conqueror.

Answer 4

It lasted so long due to the superior defenses and with the help of Belisarius. He eventually became the all time general of the army and then he helped the Empire reach it's greatest ever size.

Answer 5

The Byzantine Emperor was powerful for many reasons:

• Position: The Empire, and the capital in particular (Constantinople), were positioned on the border of Christendom and Islam. Known as the bastion of Christianity, this position also meant that the Empire developed tremendous wealth from trade.
• Wealth: As mentioned above, the Empire was fabulously wealthy, largely due to trade, but also due to spoils from conquest, efficient taxation and tribute money.
• Culture: The Empire was the inheritor of the Splendours of Rome and the culture of Greece. They were known as one of, if not the, most cultured and sophisticated civilizations at the time, which gave the Emperor considerable influence and international standing.
• Military: The Empire fielded a superb navy and army that defeated Christian, Islamic and "pagan" armies easily, at least for the first few centuries. The Cataphractoi and the themes were disciplined and well-trained troops. The Varangian Guard of the Emperor was very strong. Greek Fire, a highly flammable substance that could burn on water was known only to the Byzantines, and was a large source of their power, particularly at sea, as the Empires ships and armies would use this fire as an incredibly effective weapon.
• Capital: Constantinople was possibly the greatest city in Europe for much of the middle ages. Beautiful and sophisticated, the city of the Emperors was the symbol of the Empire and the repository of much of it's wealth. The city was also very well defended. It never fell to attack until 1453 (excluding the Fourth Crusade), largely due to it's mighty walls and defensive systems. This bastion gave the Emperors a strong moral and physical support.

These are just a few of the reasons for the power of the Byzantine Empire.

Answer 6

The geographical position of a nation is a very important factor in its growth and prosperity. Based on what was built and learned from the ancient Roman Empire, the Byzantine empire was able to last much longer than a contemporary historian of 500 AD CE would have expected. Here are several reasons:

A. The capital city was located in a strategic position on the peninsula called the Bosphorus. This is a place where Europe meets Asia Minor and the Black Sea meets the Mediterranean Sea.

B. Its strategic in terms of defense and in terms of the trade between the two continents. The city was fortified from decades earlier by Constantine and the emperors that followed.

C. Added to the old western empire's culture was the very important Hellenistic one that the Western Romans had a distaste for. Areas surrounding Byzantium were part of this culture. Thus on a cultural basis there was no sharp edges of culture separating Byzantium from Greek, Syrian, Egyptian, and even Mongolian cultures.

D. Stepping away from early attempts to restore the old Roman empire we find a well run government that was prosperous.

E. It maintained a well run and strong army.

F. The empire was run by skilled diplomatic rulers not bent on conquest.

Thus over time it is a stand out civilization that was able to last until 1453.

Answer 7

It didn't. The Byzantine empire is not existing anymore.

Answer 8

The Byzantine was able to survive for so long because of the greeks , which because of them they could ... idk you tell me.